Consumer Reports: Tips For Appliance Upgrades

WFMY -- It can be overwhelming shopping for new appliances and knowing which fancy upgrades are really useful, and which ones aren't worth the cost.

But Consumer Reports did the dirty work for you.

Celia Kuperszmid Lehrman, deputy home editor from Consumer Reports, has some important tips for buyers.

Lehrman said, when it comes to refrigerators, get digital temperature controls and make sure they're energy efficient. Refrigerators that are not energy efficient could cost you up to $50 more a year on your power bill.

Lehrman added that refrigerators with the fridge on top of the freezer, or vice versa, save more energy and space than side-by-side versions.

According to Consumer Reports, when buying a dishwasher, look for ones with adjustable and heavy duty racks and make sure they glide out well. Additionally, experts said the only controls you actually need on a dishwasher are heavy duty, normal and delicate.

Lehrman also had the best bets when it comes to replacing cook tops.

She said cook tops with new features like hot surface warning lights, are a great safety feature, especially to warn children when the top is still hot after cooking.

Lehrman also said, when buying new appliances, skip the extended warranty.

According to Consumer Reports, most appliances don't break, and it would probably cost you the same to repair it as it would to buy the extended warranty, so you can take the risk.